THE CENTRAL Visayas Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) approved on Tuesday a minimum wage increase of P18 per day. Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Salome O. Siaton, chair of RTWPB-7, said the new minimum wage in non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 employees will be P404 while those in agriculture with up to 10 workers will be P396. Ms. Siaton also announced that the wage board approved an increase in the monthly salary of house helps in cities and first class municipalities to P5,000 from the current P3,000. House helps in other municipalities will be getting P4,000 per month, or an increase of P1,500 from the current P2,500. Ms. Siaton said the new wage order will be forwarded to the National Wages and Productivity Commission for review and approval, then published before taking effect. The last wage increase in the region took effect Aug. 3, 2018. Labor groups, which filed for much higher wage adjustments, expressed disappointment over the approved rates. “Actually, we are not happy with this, but we consider this as a win-win solution,” said Jose Tomongha, RTWPB-7 labor sector representative. Central Visayas covers Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. — The Freeman

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